Interesting excursions to take in Kodaikanal

One of Tamil Nadu's most picturesque hill stations, Kodaikanal is located at an altitude of 7,200 ft in the Palani hills in the Western Ghats. Comprising of densely wooded jungles, cascading hill slopes, circuitous rivers and green rolling valleys, it is a favourite amidst tourists visiting the country&rsquo;s south. Though a trip to Kodi&mdash;as it is popularly referred to&mdash;is all about revelling in nature, here are a few things to take in during your time there.

While lush green hill stations like Kodaikanal are already amazing places to visit for travellers, a place like the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory makes it an even more exciting destination. Popular among both the locals a...more

Located at a distance of three kilometres from the Kodai Lake, the Kurinji Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kodaikanal. Revered highly by pilgrims and loved by tourists owing to its amazing archit...more

No other place in Kodaikanal can be a better place to walk than the Coaker’s Walk itself. A kilometre-long man made walkway, the Coaker’s Walk is a great place to enjoy stunning views of the lush green mountains of the r...more

Once known as the Suicide Point, the Green Valley View is named after the very view the spot is capable of offering to a traveller. Located at a distance of just over five kilometres from the Kodai Lake, the Green Valley...more

Named after the very destination itself, the Kodai Lake is situated right in the heart of the Kodaikanal town. Although man made, the beauty of the like lie in its star-like shape and its massive size covering an area of...more

This is one of the most interesting excursions from Kodaikanal. Located at a distance of about 40 km from the city, the journey will take you through thickly forested areas abounding with orchids and shoal trees.

Although it’s a bit of a trek (20 km) from the heart of Kodaikanal, Berijam lake warrants a visit for its spectacular surroundings and untouched beauty. While its more popular counterpart – the Kodaikanal Lake – is thron...more

One of Kodaikanal’s most famous attractions, these three mammoth rock pillars stand shoulder-to-shoulder, looming 400-ft-high in the sky. Affording a bird's eye view of the surrounding vista, these granite structures are...more

Lord Murugan or Subrahmanya worship is at the heart of South India. The six-faced holy god is highly revered down South and his temples are an abode of sacredness wherein devotees go in search of wish-fulfilment and divine benedictions. Scores of pilgrims and tourists visit the Subrahmanya Temple located on a hillock in Palani just a couple of hours from the main town of Kodaikanal. According to the sacred Hindu texts, the image of the deity here is said to be handmade by the great sage Bogarnathar thousands of years ago for his personal worship.

Lord Kartikeya devotees also prefer adoring him at his shrine at the Kurinji Temple which has been named after the namesake flowers. These flowers are special in the sense that they bloom only once in 12 years in the region. The location and the peaceful air of the area create the right atmosphere for God worship.

Places to visit in Kodaikanal in 1 day

Travellers having only a day to explore Kodaikanal, fret not! There are a few good touristy places to visit in Kodaikanal that can be covered in 24 hours, and the Kodai Lake is one of them. The man-made lake spread across an area of 60 acres is situated right at the centre of the town. The surrounding Palani Hills render support to its existence and the natural flora add to its beauty. Given the provision of myriad entertainment options at the site, the question of getting bored at the lake cannot arise.

A great alternative to the Kodai Lake is the Berijam Lake. It is a very beautiful, less-crowded and non-commercial substitute to the Kodai Lake, and all it would take to reach here is a 20 kilometre long road trip from Kodaikanal and a special permit from the forest authorities to gain entry into this lake.

If the Kodai Lake left you fascinated, head to the Byrant Park towards the east of it. The botanical garden is a sprawling abode of beautiful blooming plants and trees. On a winter day, nothing could beat the experience of taking a mid-way walk in the green premises of Byrant Park.

On the other hand, the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory located four kilometres from the Kodaikanal town, in Dindigul district, is not merely for the science buffs. The observatory maintained and run by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics is a house full of amazing wonders created by man in the realm of modern science. Make sure you add a trip to the Coaker’s Walk to you Kodaikanal sightseeing trip.

Kodaikanal tourist places

There are a few awe-inspiring tourist-friendly places near Kodaikanal for travellers up for more of sightseeing. A wonderland named Pillar Rocks, located 8 kilometres from the Kodai Lake, comprises a beautiful mini garden and three vertically positioned boulders reaching up to a height of 400 feet. The space between the two rocks is called the Devil’s Kitchen. For a more adventurous and romantic trip, we recommend heading to the Kukkal Caves, situated 40 kilometres from the town. The densely forested and rocky region will evoke sentiments of mush or adventure in you.

So, stay attentive as there is more to explore about the aforementioned places in our guide below.

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Interesting excursions to take in Kodaikanal

One of Tamil Nadu's most picturesque hill stations, Kodaikanal is located at an altitude of 7,200 ft in the Palani hills in the Western Ghats. Comprising of densely wooded jungles, cascading hill slop...